PART FOURTH. 



MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES 



AND 



DESCRIPTIVE LISTS. 



CHAPTER I. 



ART. 1. On Gathering and Picking Fruit. 



THE manner of gathering or picking fruit is by 

 many persons considered of so simple a nature, that 

 it requires no very particular attention. It seems 

 unreasonable to suppose that choice fruit, after 

 much trouble and expense in cultivation, should be 

 injured in its flavor and appearance by the mere act 

 of picking, and conveying even a short distance, but 

 such is often the fact. 



In order to illustrate the above remark, it will be 

 proper to direct the attention of the reader to sub- 

 jects which may be duly investigated in their proper 

 seasons. 



The strawberry, one of the earliest and best 

 fruits, is often not only deprived of its natural beauty 

 when placed on the table, but also much of its fine 

 qualities by improper picking and bringing to table. 

 In picking it is generally deprived of its strig, calyx, 



